Poultry

Avian influenza could spread to cows outside US - WHO
Spread likely to occur through migratory birds

A World Health Organisation (WHO) official said on Tuesday there was a risk of H5N1 avian influenza virus spreading to cows in other countries beyond the United States through migratory birds, reported Reuters.

US officials are seeking to verify the safety of milk and meat after confirming the H5N1 virus in 34 dairy cattle herds in nine states since late March, and in one person in Texas.

"With the virus carried around the world by migratory birds, certainly there is a risk for cows in other countries to be getting infected," said Wenqing Zhang, head of WHO's Global Influenza Programme at a news briefing in Geneva.

She reiterated that the UN agency deems the overall public health risk posed by the virus to be low but urged vigilance.

Asked to evaluate US transparency on the outbreak so far, Zhang said the global body had received regular updates and praised a decision to share the virus genetic sequence early.

"I do think the collaboration with US CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and the information we've received so far enables us to monitor the situation and to update the preparedness measures," she said.


 https://www.thepoultrysite.com/news/2024/04/avian-influenza-could-spread-to-cows-outside-us-who

Roadrunner Chickens and Waning Disease Resistance

There is heightened interest in raising indigenous chickens in the country at the moment. As the indigenous birds are fast gaining commercial recognition and widespread consumer appreciation, there has been an upsurge in the number of players joining this very promising poultry value chain. The major players in question are the breeders of the indigenous birds, fertilized eggs producers, hatchery operators and the farmers who raise and fatten the birds for the market. The sector is fast getting so organized that today one can procure any quantity of day old indigenous chicks with little effort, a feat which was not attainable in the five years ago. Nevertheless, as the sector strives to take root challenges are arising and hounding the farmers, particularly the new entrants. In the past few weeks, I have been inundated by farmers’ emails and calls regarding the issue of disease resistance of the indigenous birds. The major concern raised is to the effect that the farmers are observing a significant departure from the norm in terms of the birds’ ability to deal with diseases as well as general vitality. Traditionally our indigenous birds are famed for their hardiness, adaptability, high disease resistance and low maintenance. However, these highly sought-after characteristics seem to be waning away as the intensification of the indigenous birds gathers momentum. This article shall tackle some of the major reasons for the above-mentioned shift from the norm and attempt to proffer some practical solutions to these challenges.....

 https://agriuniverse.co.zw/technical/170-technical-matters/tech-poultry/217-roadrunner-chickens-and-waning-disease-resistance.html

Newcastle disease outbreak hits Bulilima district

NEWCASTLE disease outbreak has hit Bulilima district, Matabeleland South province, leaving villagers counting heavy losses of their chickens.

The epicentre of the disease was reported to be village 20 in Dombodema, where thousands of birds reportedly died over the past few days.

The Department of Veterinary Services has quarantined the area and imposed strict restrictions on the movement of poultry in the district.....

 https://www.newsday.co.zw/2019/10/newcastle-disease-outbreak-hits-bulilima-district/

Newcastle outbreak scare in Midlands

A SUSPECTED outbreak of the deadly Newcastle disease has been reported in the Midlands district of Mvuma with farmers having already lost a number of chickens in the past six days.

Some farmers who spoke to Southern Eye said the disease had wiped out chickens from several homesteads, leaving the chicken runs virtually empty in the past few days.....

 https://www.newsday.co.zw/2018/10/newcastle-outbreak-scare-in-midlands/

Communique on the Current Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak in Zimbabwe.

The Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services has issued a Communique following the second outbreak of Avian Flu at Irvines' Lanark Poultry breeding farm.

Zimbabwe bans poultry imports from South Africa

Zimbabwe has banned the importation of poultry and poultry products from South Africa with immediate effect following the outbreak of Avian Influenza in that country.

The products which have been banned include "hatching eggs, table eggs, frozen chicken and mechanically de-boned meat".



Source.

"Zim bans poultry imports", The Herald, viewed 27 June 2017,  http://www.herald.co.zw/zim-bans-poultry-imports/

An outbreak of Avian influenza reported at Irvines

7 000 birds are reported to have been killed by the highly pathogenic H5N8 bird flu. The company had to cull 140 000 birds as a preventative measure to control the spread of the disease.

Sources.

1. "Avian influenza outbreak hits Irvines", The Herald, viewed 6 June 2017,  http://www.herald.co.zw/avian-influenza-outbreak-hits-irvines/

2. "Zimbabwe reports H5N8 bird flue at poultry farm - OIE", CNBCAFRICA, viewed 3 June 2017,  https://www.cnbcafrica.com/news/southern-africa/2017/06/02/zimbabwe-reports-h5n8-bird-flu-poultry-farm-oie/